Reactive Dogs Daily Updates [September 02, 2017]

Welcome to Daily Updates! Feel free to share about your progress or setbacks, chit chat, or just let us know how you're doing today!

Remember to be kind and respectful. We all know the struggles of working with a reactive dog firsthand; remember to show the same patience toward your fellow owners as you do your reactive dogs.

Not sure what to chat about? We have some themed days you can use for inspiration:

Medication Monday - Is your dog on any supplements or medication to help with their reactivity? What has been your experience? What questions do you have for people currently using medications? Please work with a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist if you would like to start your dogs on medication.

Tuesday Tricks - Sometimes it's nice to be working on some tricks 'just for fun' to mix it up and take a break from all the hard reactivity training. What fun, silly tricks have you been working on with your dog? Show us your videos of any completed or in progress tricks!

Wednesday Walks - What methods do you use to keep your dog's attention on walks? What kind of areas do you walk in? How did your latest walk go? Feel free to share pictures or videos of your walks or favorite places to go!

Tracker Thursday - Creating a training or reactivity tracker is a helpful way to monitor your progress and can help keep things in perspective. Are you using a tracker? Have you seen any templates that look promising or do you have new ideas you want to try out? Feel free to share your own or ask questions!

Friday Fun - Working with a reactive dog can be tough, so we like to remember the positive things. What fun moments did you have with your dog this week?

Self Care Sunday - Taking care of yourself is an important part of the whole process! What have you done to relax this week? How do you like to unwind from a bad reactivity day? Any tips for putting things in perspective and turning your mood around?

Overall, pretty good. Shorter and fewer over threshold incidents than last year, though I was aiming and working for none. An off leash dog did pounce her the first day which was a setback (and dogs aren't allowed to be off leash in the workshops so... annoying) but most of the time people gave us space. I had a few really good experiences with Jenny engaging in workshops around other dogs, and she behaved at the trial.

Juniper is starting to let strangers (and my boss with bad vibes) touch her a little if I tell them to try to go for chin scritches ONLY. When I got her, she used to collapse on the ground in fear (so often that her front paws are deformed). For the longest time, her reaction has just been to jump back, tail between her legs. Oh how minor things become monumental with these special dogs.

We are a community for people that own reactive dogs! We support the LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) approach to dog training.
The tips and advice here cannot replace a qualified certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist - if you are struggling please consider these resources for your dog.
Everyone is welcome. A reactive dog is not required to join, but please keep discussions and posts focused on dog reactivity. :)